Computer telephony headset with presence indicator

ABSTRACT

A telephone headset is provided which includes a presence status indicator thereon for signaling to other persons the user&#39;s availability and/or willingness to communicate face-to-face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/014,953filed Aug. 30, 2013, now pending, which, in turn, claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/732,471 filed Dec. 3, 2013.Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to telephone headsets and, moreparticularly to a telephone headset with a “presence” indicator meansthereon for outputting a user's presence status, thereby signaling toother persons the user's availability and/or willingness to communicateface-to-face.

A telephone headset includes an earpiece, including one or morespeakers, and a microphone. The earpiece is typically held in place overor near the ear of the user, for example, with an over-the-head band oran ear hook. The microphone is commonly located close to the user'smouth by placement at the end of a boom extending from the earpiece.

Telephone headsets free the user's hands and offer greater comfort andefficiency over conventional telephone handsets. As such, headsets findwidespread use in call centers and many other business and professionaloffice settings where telephones are used frequently or for extendedperiods.

One drawback of headset use in a work environment is that other personscannot determine whether a user who has donned a headset is available totalk, or on an active telephone call and therefore unavailable to talk.Prior art headsets have addressed this drawback by providing anindicator light, for example, at the end of the microphone boom orelsewhere on the headset, which provides a visual indication to otherpersons when the telephone headset is in use. Such prior art systemstypically monitor the telephone line to determine whether the telephoneline is in use (off-hook) or idle (on-hook).

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,791 discloses a telephone headseton-line indicator that determines the on-line or off-hook condition bymonitoring the voltage potential across the transmitting lines betweenthe headset and the base unit. An LED on the microphone boom isilluminated when the headset is in use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,647discloses a headset having an LED in-use indicator on the microphoneboom which is activated to indicate that the headset is in use byamplification of the audio signal across the transmission lines. U.S.Pat. No. 8,209,441 discloses a telephone headset for a softphoneapplication having an LED on-line indicator wherein the on-line statusis detected by monitoring the host to detect a request for transmit datafrom the host based on a signaling protocol associated with the hostport and independent of the softphone application software.

Network communication systems have recently included the ability to sendand receive so-called “presence information” which conveys theavailability and/or willingness of users of the network communicationsystem to communicate with other users of the network communicationsystem. Such presence information is advantageous to persons who arelogged on to the network communications system with a networked deviceand provides such logged on users with an indication of the user'swillingness to communicate over the communication network, e.g., via aninstant messaging application. However, providing network presenceinformation of a user to other users operating a device connected to thenetwork does not address the problem of alerting persons in the vicinityof the headset user, such as someone wishing to speak to the headsetuser in-person, as to the headset user's availability or willingness tocommunicate, e.g. face-to-face.

Accordingly, the current disclosure provides an improved headset forcomputer telephony that provides a visual indication of the headsetuser's presence information or status, and which overcomes the aboveproblems and others.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a computer telephony headset for supporting communicationof audio data over a network via a host device of the network isprovided. The headset includes an earpiece operable to receiveelectronic audio signals and render the electronic audio signals audibleto a user wearing the headset. A microphone is attached to the earpieceand is operable to convert sounds into transmitted electronic signals. Aprocessor is configured to receive presence data from the host device,the presence data being representative of a presence status of the user.A visual indicator is operably connected to the processor for providinga visual indication of the presence status of the user based on thepresence data.

In another aspect, a computer telephony system of a type that allowstwo-way audio communication over a network includes a computer processorbased host device configured to generate presence data representative ofa presence status of the user. A headset includes an earpiece operableto receive electronic audio signals and render the electronic audiosignals audible to the first user; a microphone attached to the earpieceand operable to convert sounds into transmitted electronic signals; aprocessor configured to receive presence data from the host device; anda visual indicator operably connected to the processor for providing avisual indication of the presence status of the user based on thepresence data.

In yet another aspect, a method for displaying a visually perceptibleindication of a computer telephony user's availability and/orwillingness to communicate includes providing a computer telephonyheadset for supporting communication of audio data over a network via ahost device of the network. The headset comprises an earpiece operableto receive electronic audio signals and render the electronic audiosignals audible to the user and a microphone attached to the earpieceand operable to convert sounds into transmitted electronic signals. Themethod further includes receiving presence data from the host deviceusing a processor, the presence data representative of a presence statusof the user. A visual indicator operably connected to the processor isactivated to provide a visual indication of the presence status of theuser based on the presence data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that both the illustrated embodiments and thedescription herein are exemplary and explanatory only and are notrestrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification,illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and shouldnot be limitative of the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial image of a headset in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic diagram of the headset appearing in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram the headset embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary network communication system in whichthe headset in accordance with this disclosure may be employed.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary computer systemherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary host system with headset inaccordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for receivingand displaying presence information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a headset 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment includes an earpiece 110 comprising audio speakers112 and a headband 114. The headband 114 may be size-adjustable as isgenerally known in the art. Although the illustrated headset 100 isshown with two audio speakers 112, it will be recognized thatalternative embodiments could employ a single speaker. Likewise, theover-the-head headband 114 could be replaced with alternative fastenermeans for securing the headset in an operable position, such as ear hookfor securing the headset to the user's ear.

A microphone 116 is disposed at the end of a microphone boom or arm 118coupled to the earpiece 110. The arm 118 may be rotatably coupled, e.g.,via a rotatable turret 120, to allow the user to pivot the arm 118 untilthe microphone is at a desired position in front of the mouth of theuser. An LED indicator 122 is also positioned at the end of themicrophone arm 118. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the LEDindicator 122 is provided on the outside of the arm 118 so as to bevisible to a person facing a user wearing the headset. Although theindicator 122 is preferably an LED light source, it will be recognizedthat other types of light sources are also contemplated, includingincandescent lamps and others.

It will be recognized that the LED indicator 122 could also bepositioned at an alternative location on the headset, such as thespeaker housing, headband, other positions along the boom, etc.Alternatively or additionally, the LED indicator could be on the inlinecontrol module 124 (discussed below). In still further embodiments, theLED indicator could be provided on a dedicated member, such as anextension member of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,688.

In certain embodiments, the LED indicator 122 and/or the microphone 116could be incorporated into the earpiece 110, such that the boom 118could include a hollow channel forming an audio wave guide fortransmitting sound waves from the distal end of the boom 118 to amicrophone located at the proximal end of the boom. Likewise, LED'slocated at the proximal end of the boom 118 could transmit light to thedistal end of the boom, e.g., to a diffuser located at the end of theboom, wherein the hollow channel interior surface is highly reflective.

An inline control module 124 is connected to the earpiece 110 via anupper cord or connecting line 126 including electrical conductors 128for transmitting an audio signal to the speakers 112 from the controlmodule; electrical conductors 130 for transmitting an audio signal fromthe microphone 116 to the control module; and electrical conductors 132for driving the LED indicator 122, as will be described in greaterdetail below. A USB cord or cable 134 and USB connector 136 are providedfor connecting the control module 124 to a host computer system 140 (seeFIG. 4).

The control module 124 includes volume up and volume down buttons 142,144, a mute button 146, and a hook set button 148. The volume buttons142, 144 may be pressed to raise or lower, respectively, the volume ofthe audio signal output to the speakers 112. Button backlight LEDs 150a, 150 b may be provided to illuminate the buttons 142 and 144. The LEDs150 a, 150 b may be, for example, a white LED.

The mute button 146 may be pressed to selectively toggle the microphone116 on and off. For example, the mute button 146 may be pressed during aphone call to allow the user to speak without being heard by the otherperson or persons on the phone call. Pressing the mute button againturns the microphone back on. A backlight LED 152 may be provided toilluminate the mute button 146. For example, the mute LED 152 may beturned off when the microphone 116 is operational and illuminated whenthe microphone 116 is muted. The mute LED 152 may be a red LED.

The hook button 148 may be used in conjunction with a software telephony(softphone) application on the host system 140 to take the softphoneapplication off-hook (i.e., to place a call) or on-hook (i.e., to end acall). A backlight LED 154 may be provided for the button 148, forexample to illuminate the button 148 when the softphone application isoff hook or on a call. The hook set backlight LED 154 may be, forexample, green.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inline control module includes a processor 160,such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, or the like, and receivesdata and power from the host system 140 via the cable 134. A USBprotection circuit 162 may be provided between the USB connector 136 andthe processor 160, for example, for protecting the processor 160 fromovercurrent. A crystal oscillator clock 164 is provided to drive thevarious circuit components of the processor 160. Nonvolatile memory 166is coupled to the processor 160 for storing computer readableinstructions and data when power is removed from the headset 100. Thenon-volatile memory 166 may be, for example, Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other suitablecomputer readable medium.

The processor 160 includes a USB audio codec for converting digitalaudio data from the host system 140 into an analog audio signal andsending the audio signal to the speakers 112 and for digitizing ananalog audio signal from the microphone 116 and sending a digitalrepresentation of the audio signal from the microphone to the hostsystem 140. The processor 160 may include additional digital signalprocessing features, including equalization, noise reduction, acousticecho cancellation, automatic gain control, compression, audio effectssuch as 3-D sound, and so forth.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary networked information handlingsystem is illustrated. The networked system includes one or more networkservers 170 interconnected with one or more remotely located clientcomputer systems, such as the host system 140, via a network designatedgenerally as 190, which may include one or more local area networks,wide area networks (WAN), personal area networks (PAN), intranets, theInternet, and others, as well as interconnections thereof. For example,the client system 140 and server system 170 may be configured to accessthe Internet via a local area network.

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider 200 allows the user ofthe headset 100 running a computer telephony or softphone application onthe host system 140 to communicate with other users on the network 190,as well as telephone users on the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 210 and cellular mobile telephone networks 220.

The server computer system 170 may include server messaging software orlike communication software of the type that stores and transmitspresence information of users on the network. The presence informationis representative of the user's network presence status, which may bepredetermined, e.g., based on a state or condition of the user's hostcomputer system 140 and/or selectable by the user. In this manner, thepublished network presence status may be representative of the user'savailability and/or the user's willingness to communicate. Examples ofsuch server software include Microsoft Lync Server, Avaya One-X server,Cisco Unified Communications Manager, and the like. The host computersystem 140 and other client systems on the network 190 likewise run thecorresponding messaging client software, such as Microsoft Lync, AvayaOne-X client, Cisco IP Communicator, or the like.

The host computer system 140 and the server computer system 170 may be,for example, a computer-based information handling system as generallydescribed below by way of reference to FIG. 5. A block diagramillustrating the connection between the host system 140 and the headset100 appears in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there appears an exemplary information handlingsystem 140 representative of the host system hardware for running thesoftphone application 222 (see FIG. 6) and the messaging/presencesoftware application 224 (see FIG. 6) and configured to operate in thenetwork 190. It will be recognized that the softphone application couldbe a module or function within the messaging/presence softwareapplication. It will also be recognized that the hardware configurationshown in FIG. 2 is likewise representative of a hardware configurationof the server computer system 170 for running the messaging/presenceserver software. The hardware system 140 appearing in FIG. 5 isgenerally representative of a computer-based information handlingsystem, such as a PC, workstation, a mini-computer, mainframe computer,or the like.

The hardware system 140 includes a central processing system 230, amemory 232, one or more storage devices 234, including main andauxiliary memory, an input/output (I/O) system 236, a network interface238, a communications interface 240, and a display system 242 operablyconnected by a bus 244.

The hardware system 140 is controlled by the central processing system230, which may include a central processing unit such as amicroprocessor or microcontroller for executing programs, performingdata manipulations and controlling the tasks of the hardware system. Theprocessor 230 can be any suitable Intel, AMD, Motorola, TexasInstruments, or Sun processor, or the like. Communication with thecentral processor 230 is implemented through the system bus 244 fortransferring information among the components of the hardware system.

The memory 232 provides storage of instructions and data for programsexecuting on the central processing system 230. The memory 232 istypically semiconductor-based memory as would be generally understood bypersons skilled in the art. The storage devices 234 may includesemiconductor-based memory such as read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory, and so forth. The storage devices 234 may also include a varietyof non-semiconductor-based memories, including but not limited to harddisk, floppy disc, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and so forth.

The display system 242 may comprise a display device and a video displayadapter having the components for driving a display device, includingvideo memory, buffer, and graphics engine as desired. The display devicemay comprise a video monitor such as a cathode ray-tube (CRT) display,liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) display, gas orplasma display, and so forth.

The input/output (I/O) system 236 may comprise one or more controllersor adapters for providing interface functions between one or more I/Odevices. The input/output system 236 may comprise one or more serialports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, IEEE 1394ports, infrared ports, etc., for interfacing with corresponding I/Odevices, including the headset 100 disclosed herein, and any number ofother I/O devices such as a keyboard, mouse/pointing device, printer,modem, microphone, speaker, and so forth.

The network interface 238 may be connected to a network, such as thenetwork 190, to communicate to other computers, external devices,networks, or information sources on the network 190. The networkinterface 238 may be a network adapter implementing, for example, IEEE802 network standards (e.g., IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet networks, IEEE802.11 for wireless networks, IEEE 802.15 for personal area networks,IEEE 802.16 for broadband wireless metropolitan networks, and so on.).

The communications interface 240 may be connected to a network, such asthe Internet for communication with other computers or devices using anISP and/or a dial up phone system to connect to the network. Thecommunications interface 240 can be a modem, digital subscriber line(DSL), asymmetric digital subscriber line (ASDL), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), integrated digital services network(ISDN), personal communications services (PCS), transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), serial line Internet protocol/pointto point protocol (SLIP/PPP), and so on. It should be appreciated thatthe hardware system 140 of FIG. 5 is illustrative and exemplary only.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there appears a flow chart outlining anexemplary method 300 in accordance with the present invention. Theprocess 300 starts at step 304 and at step 308, the user runs the clientmessaging/presence software application and a presence state is selectedfrom among a plurality of preset of predefined or predetermined networkpresence status levels or states. It will be recognized that thepredefined or predetermined status levels may include default presencestatus levels in the messaging software 222, as well as custom oruser-defined presence status levels. It will also be recognized that inpreferred embodiments, the presence status to be published over thenetwork 190 will include status levels that are selectable by the uservia the presence/messaging software 222 as well as status levels thatare published automatically by the software 222.

The presence status information is sent to the server 170 and may beviewed on other networked devices on or accessing the network 190. Forexample, the server software 226 on the server 170 may store the user'spresence status information. Other networked users connected to theserver 170 may then view on-screen indicia of the user's status, whichincludes an on-screen graphic displayed in connection with informationabout the user, wherein the color of the on-screen graphic is correlatedto a given status or availability level. By way of example only, thecorrelation between presence status level and color could be as shown inTable 1:

TABLE 1 Color Presence Status Off Offline Green Available Orange RedBusy Red Do not disturb Orange Urgent interruptions only Yellow Away/Outof office

In an alternative embodiment, again given by way of example only, thepresence status levels and corresponding colors may be as shown in Table2:

TABLE 2 Color Presence Status Off None Lime Online/available GreenYellow Idle Orange Red Busy Orange Busy/Idle Yellow Away Red Do notdisturb Light Salmon Offline Light Green Online/Idle Blue Ring

At step 312, the user's published presence status information is sent tothe headset 100 from the application software. For example, in certainembodiments, the presence data from the software 222 is sent to theprocessor 160 of the headset 100 as a part of the USB Human InterfaceDevice (HID) output report. This presence status is used to determinewhich color (if any) is displayed on the indicator. At step 316, theheadset processor 160 receives the user's published presence informationand it is determined whether the user has a new or updated presencestatus or state. The new or updated status may be, for example, apresence state selected by the user via the presence software 222, or apresence state selected by the presence software under programmedcontrol, for example, as a result of the user placing or receiving acall, the user logging off the network 190, the user's computer systemremaining inactive or idle for some predetermined period of time, and soforth.

In the event the user has a new or updated presence status at step 316,the process continues to step 320 and the processor 160 drives the LEDindicator 122 to achieve the color that corresponds to the receivedstatus level and returns to step 312.

The LED 122 is preferably a tri-color LED comprising red, green, andblue (RGB) elements in which the intensity of each element can beindependently controlled to allow the colors to be mixed to producevirtually any color. The microphone boom 118 may include reflectorsand/or diffusers to facilitate the mixing of the red, blue, and greencomponents. Alternatively, the LED element 124 may be a self-containedRGB LED with an integral diffused lens. Of course, in alternativeembodiments, the RGB LED could be replaced with an array of dedicatedsingle color LEDs or lamps.

If the presence status is unchanged at step 316, the process returns tostep 312 to monitor for any changes in the user's published status andcontinues as described above.

The systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented as sets ofinstructions resident in the main memory of one or more computersystems. Until required by the computer system, the set of instructionsmay be stored in another computer readable memory such as a hard diskdrive or in a removable memory such as an optical disk for utilizationin a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive, a magnetic media for utilization in amagnetic media drive, a magneto-optical disk for utilization in amagneto-optical drive, or a memory card for utilization in a card slot.Further, the set of instructions can be stored in the memory of anothercomputer and transmitted over a local area network or a wide areanetwork, such as the Internet, when desired by the user. Additionally,the instructions may be transmitted over a network in the form of anapplet that is interpreted after transmission to the computer systemrather than prior to transmission. One skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the physical storage of the sets of instructions orapplets physically changes the medium upon which it is stored, e.g.,electrically, magnetically, chemically, physically, or optically, sothat the medium carries computer readable information.

All references cited above are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others uponreading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It isintended that the invention be constructed as including all suchmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer telephony headset for supportingcommunication of audio data over a network via a host device of thenetwork, the headset comprising: an earpiece operable to receiveelectronic audio signals and render the electronic audio signals audibleto a user wearing the headset; a microphone attached to the earpiece andoperable to convert sounds into transmitted electronic signals; aprocessor configured to receive presence data from the host device, thepresence data representative of a presence status of the user; and avisual indicator operably connected to the processor for providing avisual indication of the presence status of the user based on thepresence data.
 2. The computer telephony headset of claim 1, wherein thepresence status is representative of one or both of the user'savailability and the user's willingness to communicate.
 3. The computertelephony headset of claim 1, wherein said earpiece includes a fastenerselected from a headband and an ear hook.
 4. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is disposed on theheadset.
 5. The computer telephony headset of claim 1, furthercomprising a boom attached to the earpiece, the boom receiving themicrophone at a distal end of the boom, wherein the visual indicator ispositioned at the distal end of the boom.
 6. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 1, further comprising: a Universal Serial Bus (USB)connector for connecting the headset to the host device.
 7. The computertelephony headset of claim 1, further comprising a control moduleelectrically coupled to the headset, said control module including oneor more of: a volume control configured to selectively increasing ordecreasing a volume of the electronic audio signals; a mute buttonconfigured to selectively turn the microphone on and off; and a hookbutton configured to selectively take an associated softphoneapplication on the host device on-hook and off-hook.
 8. The computertelephony headset of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured toreceive the presence data from the host device as report data in a HumanInterface Device (HID) output report.
 9. The computer telephony headsetof claim 1, further comprising: an oscillator operably connected to saidprocessor, said oscillator for synchronizing receiving, processing, andoutputting operations of said processor.
 10. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator includes alight-emitting diode (LED) light source.
 11. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 10, wherein said LED light source is a color mixing LEDincluding a plurality of LED elements, wherein at least two of theplurality of LED elements emit light at different wavelengths.
 12. Thecomputer telephony headset of claim 10, wherein the color mixing LEDincludes three LED elements, wherein the three LED elements areconfigured to emit, respectively, red light, green light, and bluelight.
 13. The computer telephony headset of claim 1, wherein thepresence data is representative of a presence status selected from:“offline,” “available,” “busy,” and “away.”
 14. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 1, wherein the presence data is representative of apresence status selected from: “available,” “busy,” “do not disturb,”“urgent interruptions only,” and “away.”
 15. The computer telephonyheadset of claim 1, wherein the presence data is representative of apresence status selected from: “online/available,” “idle,” “busy,”“busy/idle,” “away,” “do not disturb,” “offline,” “online/idle,” and“ring.”
 16. A computer telephony system of a type that allows two-wayaudio communication over a network, the system comprising: a computerprocessor based host device configured to generate presence datarepresentative of a presence status of the user; and a headset includingan earpiece operable to receive electronic audio signals and render theelectronic audio signals audible to the first user; a microphoneattached to the earpiece and operable to convert sounds into transmittedelectronic signals; a processor configured to receive presence data fromthe host device; and a visual indicator operably connected to theprocessor for providing a visual indication of the presence status ofthe user based on the presence data.
 17. The computer telephony systemof claim 16, further comprising: a server linking the first user to oneor more additional users and configured to allow the first user and theone or more additional users to communicate with one another; and saidserver configured to receive the presence information and to publish itto at least one of the one or more additional users that are connectedto the server.
 18. The computer telephony system of claim 17, whereinsaid server includes presence software selected from messaging software,Microsoft Lync, Avaya One-X, and Cisco Unified Communications Manager.19. The computer telephony system of claim 16, wherein said visualindicator includes a multi-color LED light source.
 20. The computertelephony system of claim 19, wherein the visual indication is colorcoded, and further wherein the processor is configured to cause thevisual indicator to display a color which is the same as a presencestatus indication color published to said at least one of the one ormore additional users over the network.
 21. A method for displaying avisually perceptible indication of a computer telephony user'savailability and/or willingness to communicate, the method comprising:providing a computer telephony headset for supporting communication ofaudio data over a network via a host device of the network, the headsetcomprising an earpiece operable to receive electronic audio signals andrender the electronic audio signals audible to the user and a microphoneattached to the earpiece and operable to convert sounds into transmittedelectronic signals; receiving presence data from the host device using aprocessor, the presence data representative of a presence status of theuser; and activating a visual indicator operably connected to theprocessor to providing a visual indication of the presence status of theuser based on the presence data.